The Best Self Tanners Ever

These are the best self tanners, regardless of price. As always, there are two lists here: the first is my personal picks, and the second is based on the results of a poll of over 1000 beauty-savvy women. Enjoy, and let me know whether your favorite made the list!

The Beauty Insider's Picks
I cheated in this category. Since my skin is naturally olive and tanned, I used my husband as a guinea pig for some of these products. The other recommendations came about through friends.
Tip: In case you haven’t already heard, before applying self-tanner, exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. And go easy on naturally darker parts, like knees and elbows.

1. Clarins Gelee Auto-Bronzante Express Self Tanning Instant Gel: Clarins makes some of the best self-tanners on the market. This product dries quickly, so you can get dressed right away, and leaves no telltale scent behind. It gives light, natural color to the fair skinned, without looking orangey or streaky. Brilliant. $28

2. Savage Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse: For natural, golden color that is not too dark, this fast-drying self-tanner is a popular pick. The mitt makes it easy to apply. It’s affordable, and the chocolatey smell is a definite bonus. $13.95

3. Bare Escentuals Faux Tan: This almond-smelling lotion has a dark color, so you can see where you’re applying it—no surprises. Plus it goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and leaves a natural, light golden tan behind. $22

4. Fake Bake Sunless Self-Tanning Lotion: This is perhaps the most foolproof self tanner on the market. Simply smooth on (don’t rub, as it won’t blend in) and wait for a natural, streakless tan that lasts for days and fades away naturally. Once you get the desired effect, a weekly application will maintain your glorious color. A friend told me that this looks better than her natural tan. $22.95

5. Au Courant Bronze Face Gel: This light, sweet smelling gel applies easily, won’t streak, and delivers a startlingly realistic tan. And it won’t cause breakouts in acne-prone skin. $19.95

6. Tan Towels: This may be the convenient self-tanner on the market—even my husband likes it. One of the smaller towelettes covers face, neck, and chest. (They’re also available in bigger, full-body sizes). There’s no fuss, no mess—just wipe on natural color with a light citrus scent that fades in a few minutes. $20/10 towelettes

7. Coppertone Oil-Free Sunless Tanning Lotion Medium/Dark: This tinted lotion lets you see where it’s going, and it delivers a natural, golden tan with minimal odor. It doesn’t streak, absorbs quickly, is oil-free, lasts for days, and fades away gradually. And did I mention that it’s cheap? $7 (approx.)

8. Lancome Flash Bronzer Medium Colour Self-Tanning Body Spray with SPF and Pure Vitamin E: This easy-to-use spray massages in easily, dries quickly and leaves an incredibly natural tan that never streaks or looks orange. $27.50

9. Bath & Body Works Tan-Do Attitude Sunless Bronzer: The only thing orangey about this is the fragrance. This tinted product is great for the beginner, because it doesn’t dry too quickly, giving you plenty of time to rub it in. It delivers subtle, realistic color on paler skin, and it’s never muddy or streaky. $10

10. Avon Sun Self Tanning Lotion Medium/Dark: This clear gel is easy to apply and delivers a gorgeous brown color with reddish undertones, without any orangey hues or streaking. The bottle is huge and inexpensive, and the smell is nice and light. $9.99

The Popular Vote

1. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel, $28

2. Banana Boat Sunless Tanning Cream, $7.50 (approx.)

3. Bain de Soleil Streakguarde Self-Tanning Cream, $9 (approx.)

4. Neutrogena Instant Bronze Sunless Tanner & Bronzer in One, $10 (approx.)

5. Savage Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse, $14 (approx.)

6. Alba Botanica Advanced Sunless Tanning Lotion with SPF 15, $9 (approx.)

7. Bath & Body Works Tan-Do Attitude Sunless Bronzer, $10

8. Au Courant Clear Spray Tan, $29.99

9. Avon Sun Self-Tanning Lotion, $9.99

10. Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Self-Tanner, $22